A Maribyrnong recycled ink start-up has welcomed a $30,000 grant as part of being named as one of three winners of Squarespace Australia’s Make It awards.
Established in 2017 and working under the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark campaign and with support from Close the Loop, the company has recovered almost a thousand litres of ink from disposed ink cartridges for use within their products, which include fineliner pens and bottled ink.
Lousy Ink co-founder Oliver Reade said he and and his fellow co-founder Mike Eleven were “really excited” to start production on a new range of colour inks thanks to the grant.
“It really came at the perfect time for us,” he said.
Mr Reade said their black ink products have been successful within the national art scene, but they were hoping to broaden their horizons into the international market.
“It’s been really well received with local artists,” he said.
“Naturally, people are quite curious.
“We’ve also had the opportunity to host a number of art exhibitions.”
Mr Reade said they were also planning to create a range of artist inks, as well as increase their overall recovery rate of disposed ink.
Details: www.lousyink.com
Matthew Sims
